Oscillatory target and motion imparting means



Dec. 31, 1968 c. D. MILLER ETAL OSCILLATOR! TARGET AND MOTION IMPARTING MEANS Filed Aug. 15, 1966 FIG. 2

INVENTORS. D. C.

CHARLIE MILLER. BY ARTHUR 0' HARA.

ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,419,272 OSCILLATORY TARGET AND MOTION IMPARTING MEANS Charlie D. Miller, 141 Mosley Drive, Syracuse, N.Y. 13206, and Arthur C. OHara, 4939 South Ave., Syracuse, N.Y. 13215 Filed Aug. 15, 1966, Ser. No. 572,333 2 Claims. (Cl. 273105.2)

This invention relates broadly to target devices. More particularly, this invention relates to moving target devices of the kind employed to improve ones accuracy in hurling missiles of the hand propelled variety. Still more particularly, this invention relates to target devices of the kind described employing improved mechanism for causing continuous movement of the target. Additionally, this invention relates to a motion transmission arrangement for imparting continuous to-and-fro swinging movement to a member for the purpose of moving the member through a predetermined path.

In target devices of the kind under consideration, a moving target traverses an arcuate path to provide a target that simulates, at least in part, movement representing a path taken by a football player to whom it is desired to throw a football. Those players charged with the responsibility of accurately throwing a football may use a target device, as described, to improve their accuracy by aiming the football so as to engage the moving target with the football during the flight of the football,

One of the chief problems encountered when such a target device is employed is the means for imparting the desired movement to the target. This invention has for its chief object the provision of a moving target device incorporating mechanism that will assure continuous uninterrupted movement of the target through its predetermined path without the necessity of employing an operator for the device.

Another object of the invention is the provision of mechanism for imparting continuous movement to a target in which the components of the mechanism include parts of relatively inexpensive construction and low operating cost.

These and other features and objects of the invention are attained by a moving target device including a base, an upright support, an elongated rod, a target at one end of the rod, a continuously rotating roller, a resilient track element secured to the rod and shaped so that alternate surfaces of the track are engaged by the roller as the portion of the rod mounting the track passes the roller in its travel whereby the continuous rotary movement of the roller is imparted to the track and attached rod, to effect a pendulum-like movement to the track and rod.

In a target device of the kind described, it is important that a mechanism be provided for imparting continuous to-and-fro movement in order that the device may be used without interruption. This invention involves utilization of novel motion imparting mechanism to a target device for causing to-and-fro motion of the target portion in a continuous uninterrupted manner.

These and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent upon a consideration of the ensuing specification and drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the resilient track and roller illustrating the relative positions of the parts during a point in the travel of the target device.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the track and roller elements taken at right angles to the view shown in FIGURE 2 wherein solid and dotted lines 3,419,272 Patented Dec. 31, 1968 indicate the relative position of the track during its indicated direction of travel.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of the lower part of the target device showing two different positions of the rod and track during its swinging movement.

A target device 10 of the kind contemplated by this invention includes a base member 12 shown in FIGURE 1 as a circular member designed so that the moving portions of the device may be sustained in an upright position should they be struck by a missile aimed at the target. Extending upwardly from the base 12 is a vertical base member or mast 14. Pivotally attached to the mast 14 is an elongated rod 16 supporting at one end a target 18 consisting of a substantially circular part through which amissile, such as a football, may be thrown.

Adjustably afiixed to the rod 16 is a counterweight 20 for the purpose of biasing the target device to a vertical or other predetermined position, when the assembly is at rest. Conventional connector assembly 22 attaches the rod 16 to the mast 14 so as to enable the rod 16 to rotate about the mast 14.

Connected to the lower end of the rod 16 is a track ember 24 formed of a resilient material serving as a cam member in a manner to be later described. The track 24 is bent in the manner shown in FIGURE 1 so that one end is received in a slot 25 (note FIGURE 2) formed in rod 16 and secured therein by rivets 26. A preferred form of the cam track 24 includes relatively fiat portion 30 disposed centrally thereof, a first bent end section 28 and a second bent end section 32, each of which has slightly arcuate orientations when viewed in section. The formof the cam track will be evident from a consideration of FIGURE 1 as including a reverse bent portion 27 with which portion 30 forms a lateral continuation.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a motor 34 is secured to the base 12 and is energized by electrical lead wires connecting the motor to a source of power. To the shaft of the motor is mounted roller element 38. The roller element 38 engages the cam track 24 throughout the portions 28, 30 and 32 in a manner to be later described.

Considering the operation of the device through appropriate adjustment of the counterweight 20 along the rod 16, the rod together with those elements connected thereto will assume a predetermined at-rest position relative to the motor 34 and the roller element 38. In order to maintain the moving target assembly in continuous movement over a period of time, a switch, controlling movement of the motor rotor shaft 36, is closed so that the roller element 38 rotates continuously in a direction illustrated by the arcuate arrows in FIGURE 3. The rod 16 is then swung or rotated so that the portion 28 of the cam track is engaged by the roller 38. The frictional engagement between the roller 38 and the portion 28 causes movement of the cam track 24, together with the rod 16, in the direction shown by the solid arrow in FIG- URE 3. Because of the nature of the cam track 24, portion 28 may be bent slightly downwardly at the beginning of the frictional engagement between parts 38 and 28. Because of the continuous rotary motion of the roller 38, the cam track passes underneath the roller, as the roller engages the upper surface thereof, causing the portions 30 and 32 to be successively engaged by the roller 38. Because of the position of the portion 32 of cam track 24, a slight downward movement or downward deflection of the portion 32 occurs as the roller engages that section of the cam track. After the parts are disengaged, the cam track 24 proceeds to a position to the left of roller 38 a predetermined distance, as indicated in FIGURE 4. This is caused by virtue of the momentum of the cam track as it moves under the influence of the roller 38.

Subsequently, the cam track will swing under the influence of the counterweight 20 to a position approximating a vertical orientation. Before the rod reaches its vertical position, the under surface of the portions 32 and 30 successively of the cam track will engage the roller and travel under the influence of the frictional drive provided by the roller in the direction indicated by the dotted arrows in FIGURE 3. It will thus be seen that the cam track 24, by virtue of frictional engagement between the under surface of the cam track and the roller 38 will be propelled to a position illustrated in dotted lines in FIG- URE 4, it being understood that the portion 28 will be deflected slightly upwardly as it leaves the roller 38.

The action described continues for so long as power is supplied to the motor 34 causing rotation of roller element 38 for the parts are so designed that the counterweight continually urges the rod to a vertical position, once it has reached the end of its lateral movement under the influence of the roller element 38. With the device in continuous motion, a person interested in improving his skill at throwing missles such as a football may bunt the missle or ball at the moving target with the intention of propelling the missle through the space defined by the ring 18 as it moves within the path described.

The looped portion 27 of the track 24 permits the desired engagement of parts even though slight misalignment or wear of the parts is encountered. While the invention has been described as a target device, it will be obvious that the motion producing mechanism comprising the motor 34, roller 38 and the resilient track 24 may be used to produce swinging movement to other devices such as advertising displays or the like.

While we have described a preferred embodiment of our invention, it will be understood the invention is not limited thereto but may be embodied within the scope of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A moving target device comprising a base member; a support connected to the base member; an elongated rod pivotally mounted to the support; a target secured to the elongated rod, and means for imparting continuous to-and-fro or swinging movement to the rod to cause the target to traverse a substantially arcuate path of a predetermined length, said means including a resilient member secured to said rod and having an upper and a lower surface, a first downwardly bent end section, and a second upwardly bent end section secured to the rod, a continuously rotating roller initially engaging a surface of the resilient member by deflecting an end section thereof in the direction of its bend to impart upward arcuate movement to the member, the parts "being so arranged that the roller engages the opposite surface of the resilient member by deflecting the other end of the member in the direction of its bend as the resilient member moves downwardly in its arc of travel thereby imparting upward arcuate movement to the resilient member in a direction reverse to that initially imparted.

2. Motion transmission mechanism for imparting swinging movement through an arcuate path to a pivoted element comprising a rotatable member, means for driving the rotatable member, and a track member having first and second engagement surfaces, means forming a resilient connection between the track and the element, the parts being arranged so that frictional engagement between the rotatable member and a first surface of the track member will stress the resilient connection means in one direction and impart arcuate movement in a predetermined region of the arcuate path to the track memher with the track member moving to a position free of engagement with the rotatable member and returning to its original position to be engaged by the rotatable member at said second surface on the track member to stress the resilient connection means in an opposite direction and impart arcuate movement in an opposite region of the arcuate path.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,598,954 6/1952 Wengel. 2,749,455 6/1956 Glaser 40-51 X 3,214,854 11/1965 Swan 40-51 X ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R. 

1. A MOVING TARGET DEVICE COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER; A SUPPORT CONNECTED TO THE BASE MEMBER; AN ELONGATED ROD PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TO THE SUPPORT; A TARGET SECURED TO THE ELONGATED ROD, AND MEANS FOR IMPARTING CONTINUOUS TO-AND-FRO OR SWINGING MOVEMENT TO THE ROD TO CAUSE THE TARGET TO TRAVERSE A SUBSTANTIALLY ARCUATE PATH OF A PREDETERMINED LENGTH, SAID MEANS INCLUDING A RESILIENT MEMBER SECURED TO SAID ROD AND HAVING AN UPPER AND A LOWER SURFACE, A FIRST DOWNWARDLY BENT END SECTION, AND A SECOND UPWARDLY BENT END SECTION SECURED TO THE ROD, A CONTINUOUSLY ROTATING ROLLER INITIALLY ENGAGING A SURFACE 